Final Step or Hydrate Again?

Hi Roger!

Let me first say OMG! I wish I would have taken before photos of this bag. It belongs to my daughter. The handles were so dark from various cleaning products she had tried to use. The only thing that I have done so far (with your products) is the hydrate system. Hydrate 3.3, Fatliquor 5.0, Hydrate 3.3. I like how it lightened the vachetta. Now wondering what to do next. Based on the photos do you think I should do that step at once more since it looks very dry or if I finish with Vachetta 2.8 and Protector D (Or protector B) will that bring back some sheen?? Please let me know what you recommend. Thanks so much!

(Hopefully I attached photos accurately)

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Which Kit are you using?


>>> Final Step or Hydrate Again?

You should have clean first with Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system as the first step.
Then continue with Hydrate 3.3 > Fatliquor 5.0 > Hydrate 3.3 system.
You may repeat the above two system until you are very satisfied with the results.

>>> I like how it lightened the vachetta.

So far you did was the pH-balancing to produce the lightening effect - high pH-values darken the vachetta and low pH-values lightens it up (note the product suffix numbers represent the pH-value of the products - thus Hudrator-3.3 has a pH-value of 3.3). Cleaning it with Degreaser-2.2 > Acidifier-2.0 will further reduce the darkening effect due to its lower pH value.


>>> if I finish with Vachetta 2.8

Not the time yet for Vachetta-2.8 until all the contamination is pH-balance and soiling removed. We will discuss this further.

Did you used the Eraser-4?

Good you also describe your cleaning process so far, that I may share some useful tips with you.

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Roger Koh
Leather, Skin & Hair Care System Formulator
Consultant / Practitioner / Instructor / Online-Life-Coaching
online store: www.leatherdoctor.com
forum: www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com
email: [email protected]

Thank you! I thought I read somewhe to start with hydration process 1st if leather is dry... :confused:

Ok so next step is

degreaser, acidifier, hydrate then back to hydrate system 1 more time correct? I didnt use eraser yet. Recommended?

>>> Thank you! I thought I read somewhe to start with hydration process 1st if leather is dry...

That is very right (do you know the reason?).


>>> Ok so next step is degreaser, acidifier, hydrate then back to hydrate system 1 more time correct?

Correct!


>>> I didnt use eraser yet. Recommended?

Eraser-4 is used in conjunction with the leather Brush-1 - so as to brush and scrub of surface contamination during the wet cleaning. Eraser-4 is also used after the leather is dry so that wick up soiling is again erased away. Depending how deep the penetrated soiling is coming through - dry erasing is a time for inspection. If you are not too happy with the cleaning. You may start all over again in the recommended sequence.

The kit you used is Kit-V7 - Louis Vuitton Vachetta Leather Care Kit
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/kit-v7-...ther-care-kit/
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And you should clean the logo panel first, before you start cleaning the Vachetta trim (practical reason you can experience it yourself if you do the other way round).

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Thank you!

Yes, the hydrate process is used as a pre-treatment to bring the vachetta back to its natural PH level (2-4)??
I used Eraser, then Degreaser, then Hydrate and squeeze/blot process. Here’s a photo, it’s still damp in some spots but I think I want to At least do the chaps 1 more time. Is it best to do it when damp or dry or does it matter?

Do I go straight to degreaser, acidifier or do I need to do hydrate process again 1st?

>>> Is it best to do it when damp or dry or does it matter?

Continue when still damp (25% total moisture level) is safer then insufficient fatliquor and dry magnifying any pre-existing cracking.


>>> Do I go straight to degreaser, acidifier or do I need to do hydrate process again 1st?

To re-clean go straight to degreasing system and need to end with Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system before allowing to complete dry (while replenishing to average 14% fat and oil content).

By the way, do you have bio-chemistry background?

Thank you! And you’re funny! (Bio chemistry):o

Hi Roger! I degreased With eraser and also used the H-F-H system (hydrate-fat-hydrate). What do recommend I do next Based on photos?
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>>> What do recommend I do next Based on photos?

Recommend that you work more of the H>F>H system especially more of Fatliquor-5.0 to those crackings.
When you are satisfied of appearance when dry erase thereafter, you may apply Vachetta-2.8 with an even appearance and let it natural dry. This is a reduction-oxidation (redox) treatment to rejuvenate the aging Vachetta appearance.

You will need VachettaTop-S
http://www.leatherdoctor.com/vachettatop-84-1/
next to smooth the grain after Eraser-4.
This product will also level up or seal those unwanted open cracks to a certain degree better in appearance.
A perfect repair of cracks is by Impregnator-26 > Bond-3D > Bond-7A system that may produce an undesirable darkening effect.
To camouflage the undesirable effect, a refinishing is needed that also transform Vachetta into pigmented finishes.

Final step is Protector

This is post degreaser, hydration treatment and 1 application of vachetta 2.8. Almost dry. Should I wait for vachetta Top or insert another step? I can tell it’s still dirty underneath- especially underside of handles but I dont wantto over treat it. Let me know what you suggest. Sorry for all the questions!


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>>> Almost dry.

Show pictures again it is dry (almost dry, means the product is still working).


>>> Should I wait for vachetta Top or insert another step? I can tell it’s still dirty underneath- especially underside of handles but I dont want to over treat it. Let me know what you suggest.

When dry, give another Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 treatment and wait for compete natural dry.
Then give Vachetta-2.8 another go, you may wet scrub it with Eraser-4 to those not so satisfied area, towel extract until towel shows clean, apply another consistent Vachetta-2.8 coating and leave to natural dry.
Show some picture of your progress.


>>> especially underside of handles but I dont want to over treat it.

If you put the Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 > Hydrator-3.3 system in place prior to Vachetta-2.8, you are not “over treat it”. Note: Vachetta-2.8 will also removes the fat and oil to a certain degree as well that may exaggerate any existing cracking. That is why we need to unsure there is sufficient fat and oil prior to another treatment.


>>> Should I wait for vachetta Top

Only use VachettaTop-84S when your are happy with the Vachetta rejuvenating progress


>>> Sorry for all the questions!

But, do you like my answers?

Thank you! Appreciate the info. So I hydrated again overnight and I can definitely see a difference. I went through a whole bottle of hydrate and am waiting for another one to arrive. I want to do it 1 more time. Do you agree? I like how it’s looking though!! I think because this is such a dinosaur I kept bringing Up more and more dirt so it got worse before it got better. But I can see it’s definitely not as dry now. And the color...wow... I wish I took before pics. It was so dark and had a blue/grey tint to it. Let me know if you agree on 1 more HTF process. Thanks Roger!!!Attachment 9260

>>> Let me know if you agree on 1 more HTF process.

Yes, agree one more HTF (Have-The-Fun?) process.

Get all the embedded stains out prior to Vachetta-2.8.

Ok will keep you posted on HTF (Help This Female ;) )!